We’re all familiar with what ‘writers block’ is. What exactly causes this phenomenon that strikes as we attempt to compose our thoughts or ideas on paper differs with each person and situation.
If you think about it, writers block is almost always caused by one of the 6 reasons:
1) lack of preparation.
2) Inability to find the right opening line for your composition.
3) The fear of error. Let’s face it, nobody want to look stupid when it comes to documenting themselves for all the world to read.
4) Editing your work as you go along. This is a great way to lose your train of thought.
5) Lack of focus.
6) And lastly but probably the most common, procrastination. Getting ready to write is far different from jumping right in and doing it. This act alone only tends to exaggerate the problem since it allows those ‘mental barriers’ to develop and strengthen.
Ok so how do we ‘banish’ these obstacles you ask? By taking immediate action towards the completion of our composition. This will disallow any mental barriers to develop that may hinder our work. These barriers are usually due in some part to fear of failure.
By the simple act of taking immediate action here’s how you are able to overcome those 6 common obstacles that lead to writers block:
1) Prepare yourself thru the proper and necessary research. Find a quiet place where you can do your work undisturbed. Set aside the time needed and complete this task.
2) Don’t allow the inability to compose the right opening line stop you. Skip this part for now and continue on with your writing. You’ll find that as you write an idea will come to you and at that point you can go back and ‘complete’ your opening.
3) If you can talk you can write. Don’t fear that your work will be viewed as less then perfect. Just record your thoughts as they flow and forget perfection. After all your objective is to share your thoughts and ideas, isn’t it.
4) Avoid the temptation of making corrections as you write. Editing will be your next step. Keep these two steps separate. Things will go a lot smoother when you’re not constantly pausing to make corrections thereby breaking up your thought process.
5) By keeping all your steps separate, your ability to focus will come easier. Pausing for any reason will only disrupt this focus increasing both your frustration and time spent on this project.
6) Don’t put off till later what you can complete now. All this will eventually accomplish is much more to do later thereby threatening the completion of many of your desired objectives.
Obviously the most effective means to combat writers block is to take immediate action. An idle mind is more receptive to self doubt and temptation. Simply establish your objectives, then take the steps to complete them.
- TJ Philpott
